Wichita eagle., 1887-10-04
K. Of L at Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct AT a gathering
Of prominent knights of Labor this morn
ing, JOHN W. Hays, of the executive state
board said: at is generally understood
that, as an order, the Knights of Labor is
In much poorer condition than 1t was a
year ago financially and otherwise.
That's mistake We are
much better off Row than ever before.
There was upward of 10000 who were not
in good standing, and by fights were not
entitled 10 representation in the c0nven
ton this year. General Secretary Leith-
ans will show sec, 600 In the organization,
and every one in gOod standing. This IS g
much better showing than last year. Sec
rotary Leithams, during the past year dis
banded 2, 306 assemblies for non-payment
of dues Many of them are back In good
standing. That Is the kind of showing
we want 10 make.
Master Workman, T. V. Powderly,
General Secretary Lehman and most of
the other delegates to the Knights of Labor
general assembly arrived tkis aftern ION.
The great hall, capable of seating Is 900
people, was crowded at the time of the
opening Of the evening exercises, On the
platform were the prominent leaders of the
organization, j. p McGouchey, secretary
of the cooperative board and prominent
Minneapolis Knight, presided, and
made brief opening address.
Grand Master Workman POwderlys sd
dress on The World as Knighthood Would
Make It" was received with unbounded
enthusiasm. He spoke briefly, however,
being very tired. He said in part: Il have
no objection to foreign immigration. l
favor it. Every land grant company has
its immigration agents. They bring In all
manner of foreigners. If one Of these
poor creatures raises his hand, not against
iaw-fcr ne knows none-but against what
he sees just before him. he Is called
an anarchists and is punished, while the
men who loaded these poor creatures Ia
this country go free (thunderous appiausel.
I hate anarchy and hate anarchists. How
can the child reared In poverty, ignorance
and vice grow up TO respect the tustitu
lions of this country7 say stop the agent
of thesteamship company. take home the
agent of the land companies, stop import
ing foreign paupers, let only those come to
our free America who come Of their own
~iil TO make their homes here. Is
that saying anything against foreigner z
tories of no, nol thought you would
say so. This Is why am called crank
ON the immigration question. am also
called crank on the temperance question
I may be a crank on this question, but I
am not ashamed TO say that l would far
rather see man sober than drunken
man. - 1t Ia better to educate our children
to be temperate than to be drunkards
There Is not q man living who
will say that 1t Is right
to bring into the home that which damns
the head of the family There are those
who have threatened to leave the order be-
cause of my position on this question.
say to all who would withdraw for such q
cause, 20. viii trust the fate of this
nation with sober men and women. / viii
never take back one word of what have
said on the temperance question, SO help
me God"
j. A. Streeter, president of the Farmers
Alliance followed Mr.. Powderly, his sub
ject was: THE People. Their Govern
ment.n He denounced the wealthy arts
tocraey" AID predicted that the working
men would unite with common purpose
Of resentipg The epcroachments now being
made on their rights.